Skype - "internet telephony"

(this info copied from Preston Reservoir ACE "Can you hear me" project.)

There are a few programs for enabling instant voice messaging, or internet-based telephone calls. Gizmo and Google Talk, as well as Yahoo and Windows messenger(s) which now have audio as well as text. Skype however is the 'iPod" of this field - the brand which has captured the market.

• Registered users can call each other for free (using their computers with headsets .. or special telephone attachments);
• Paid subscribers can also call real-world telephones at a much lower cost than most telephone services provide.

How to work skype

1. First, download from skype dot com,
2. Then, install on your computer.
3. Thirdly, you need to register a name / login.
4. After that you can search for other people, have conversations etc.

Some more detailed information and tutorials around the web, for example

• Skype's own help / support pages .. you can search.

• Adam from PC Support in the UK tells you how to download and install skype. i like his advice to Save the installation file, rather than install / run from the web site.

Adam also tells you how to search for friends and family, once you've joined up ..

• MacDonald Youth Services has this video on offer (no audio, you'll need to watch the on-screen instructions).

• Parker Tanner tells you about how to call another skype user

Other videos on You Tube:

• intro to skype calling, once you've downloaded and installed
• The Mac Nurse gives an intro including download, for people on apple mac.
• TechHelp247 gives an intro to the program (not sure how useful this is, the artist is well-intentioned, but young! And a bit clumsy.)

More advanced ideas, such as

• Chris pirillo on how to record skype calls (a range of options? mainly Pamela, which has a 15 minute free version)
• record skype calls (on apple mac)
• set up your own "skype cast" with up to 100 users

image: thanks for skype phone by re-ality at flickr (Creative Commons Licence)